Your life changed when someone slammed into your vehicle and then took off. Now, you face significant financial loss, are unsure about your future, and are on an uphill road to returning to work. At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, a Waterbury hit and run accident lawyer is ready and available to advocate for you.
Our Waterbury car accident lawyers can represent your best interests in a claim. We have more than 40 years of combined experience and are ready to use it to help you.
Hit and Run Accidents Are Illegal in Connecticut
In Connecticut, it is illegal for anyone involved in an accident with another car, bike, motorcycle, or pedestrian to leave the incident scene. Yet, hit and run accidents are too common. Here are some common reasons why people may not stop after such an accident:
- They were intoxicated and did not want the police to find out they were under the influence.
- The driver did not have the necessary and mandated liability insurance that the state requires.
- They are commercial drivers who may lose their ability to do their job if they face points on their license.
- The driver is scared and has a poor reaction to what to do at the time of the incident.
- The driver simply did not want to take full responsibility for what happened and decided not to do so
No matter what occurred, you have the right to pursue compensation after such an accident if you can find the responsible party. That becomes law enforcement’s job. Still, the burden of proving your losses and recovering damages falls on the shoulders of your hit and run accident attorney in Waterbury.
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What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
If another person strikes you for any reason and in any circumstance, act fast to protect yourself and get the medical care you need. When possible, move out of the way of further damage and call 911 to get police to the location as quickly as possible. When it is safe to do so, you can take a few other steps to preserve the evidence in your case.
- Gather as much evidence as you can at the scene: Take photos of the surrounding area, any debris left behind, damage to your car, and any other conditions that help clarify what occurred.
- Do not pursue the driver of the vehicle that struck you: Instead, immediately document everything you remember about that driver, including the color of the car, the style of vehicle, the clothing they were wearing, and any other details. Do this as soon as possible after the accident.
- Gather witness information: Request that any witnesses provide their name and contact details so you can use them later if you gain more information. Small details can make a big difference.
- Get to the hospital for medical care: Be sure to document all of your injuries and do not overlook any aches and pains that may develop in the hours or days after the incident.
- Do not wait to contact our legal team: As soon as you feel safe and are medically stable, contact our hit and run accident lawyer in Waterbury so we can begin working on your case.
The police are legally expected to seek criminal charges and search for the at-fault party. But this does nothing to help you recover your damages. For that reason, allow our team to help research and identify the at-fault party as we also help you seek available compensation. Talk to our Waterbury personal injury lawyer at Law Offices of James A. Welcome today.
How to Recover Damages After a Hit and Run Accident
When you are in a hit and run accident, you have legal recourse in several potential ways. Most importantly, if and when the police find the at-fault party, you can seek full compensation against them as allowed under the law. If they do not find the party, but you have uninsured driver coverage, you can file a claim on that policy to cover your losses.
There are a few key factors to keep in mind if you are filing a claim with your insurance company. The first is that you simply need to treat them as an insurance company like any other, which means documenting your losses, providing evidence, and not admitting fault. They are not working on your behalf. Instead, they aim to reduce the claim damages they pay out.
Additionally, we encourage you to allow our legal team to pursue fair compensation up to the level allowed under the law. With our extensive experience, you can trust that we will work aggressively to build your case for you. We are passionate about helping victims, and that means we will leverage every possible route to build that claim for you.
Wrongful Death Claims in a Hit and Run Accident
One of the most devastating incidents that can happen is for a person struck by a hit and run driver to lose their life, as it leaves families with very little justice or peace of mind. As highly experienced legal professionals, we know there is very little we can say to make it better.
However, we can fight for justice by seeking full compensation under Connecticut General Assembly Chapter 925, Section 52-555 for any losses you have. Set up some time to speak to us if your family member lost their life as a result of a hit and run accident driver so that we can provide you with some insight into the next steps.
In many situations, we can identify the party responsible and pursue legal action against them to the fullest level allowable under the law. Make sure you understand Connecticut’s wrongful death statute.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Waterbury Hit and Run Accident Attorney Now
The Law Offices of James A. Welcome brings decades of experience and a solid reputation for fighting hard for our clients in their battles. With our extensive dedication to pursuing maximum compensation and a proven track record of success, you can rest easy knowing your case is in qualified hands. Meet with a Waterbury hit and run accident lawyer now to learn more.
